Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: I have been receiving promotions from a repair shop in Kakaako and find it very frightening that the address they use is identical to my car registration information instead of my legal name. Is it legal for the city to make money by selling information from DMV (Division of Motor Vehicles) records? The city should offer us a box to check, similar to mail-order catalogs that give us the option of keeping information private. DMV issues data only
for ‘major recalls’Answer: "We do not provide listings from driver's license or motor vehicle registration files for any purposes," said David Mau, assistant licensing administrator for the city's Motor Vehicle Licensing Division.
"The state Department of Transportation is the only one that can allow releasing of any information," he said. Further, the law says such information from motor vehicle registration files can be released "only for major recalls and they are provided to the (car) manufacturers."
So, if you were contacted in conjunction with a recall and the repair shop had been contracted by the manufacturer to correct deficiencies, then "that is legal," Mau said.
"But normally, those types of printouts (of registration addresses) would come from manufacturers or dealers themselves vs. just a repair shop," he said.
However, Mau also said that many shops and gas stations maintain records and send reminder notices to customers as a matter of practice. If you went for a safety inspection, for example, you are required to provide your vehicle registration, and that may be how your name and address was obtained, he said.
That was confirmed by Beverly Harbin, president of the Hawaii Automobile Repair and Gas Dealers Association, which represents independent repair shops and gasoline stations in the state.
"There is no way you can get to those (motor vehicle registration) lists from the city and county because they're protected by the privacy act," she said.
Names and addresses basically come from records of customers or referrals from dealerships.
"Those of us who are computerized understand the value of direct mail," Harbin said.
Neighbors, beware
I just want to warn people to not be so trusting. I live in Foster Village and a dignified woman in a nice Hawaiian dress came to my door last week and politely asked to pick some coconuts from my back yard. She said it was for a luau for a good cause. I was hesitant, but said OK. Then she and a man who had been sitting in a small white van came with three burlap sacks. I told them not to take all the coconuts and she said OK.Next thing, I notice that they've nearly stripped the tree and hurriedly left without even saying thank you. Later, I found out they had also taken some of my yard and garden tools. I feel so foolish, but realize I should have been more careful. -- No name
Mahalo
To the Schofield Rod & Gun Club and the Mililani Wal-Mart for donating gifts to Tripler Army Medical Center's two pediatric wards. The club raised $1,075 in a fund-raiser last year and Wal-Mart donated $800. We were able to buy four color television sets with built-in VCRs, two Nintendo 64 game stations, five Nintendo games and 20 children's videos. These gifts mean so much to our children because so many of our patients stay with us for months at a time. -- Tripler Army Medical Center staff
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